The latest Recommerce 2024 barometer shows a booming refurbished smartphone market in France. Nearly one in five mobiles is now second-hand.
For reasons of purchasing power and, also, environmental protection, more and more French people are turning to the refurbished smartphone market. The Recommerce barometer published this week reveals a particularly striking trend: in 2024, in France, 20% of smartphones (i.e. 1 in 5) will be second-hand. The growth is commendable, since they only accounted for 7% of mobiles used in 2018. This is obviously only the beginning.
To convince the French, the repackaged product has more than one trick up its sleeve
The craze for refurbished smartphones in France is undeniable, with 1 in 5 used smartphones being second-hand. Imagine that this significant increase represents almost triple the market six years ago. There is now no doubt about the change in consumption habits towards more sustainable products.
And in fact, the motivations for choosing a refurbished smartphone are mainly economic. 72% of French people opt for this alternative for budgetary reasons: reconditioned, by definition, is cheaper than new. As prices of new models continue to rise, remanufactured offers a more affordable and attractive option for many users.
Because a market logic is now in place, the resale of used smartphones is also gaining popularity, with almost half of French people considering reselling their device to a professional. This is partly explained by the fact that this approach allows consumers to recover on average 200 euros by selling their phone, an amount which they can then reinvest in the purchase of a new device. A significant financial windfall, you will agree.
Staying competitive as regulations evolve
Refurbished has its virtues, it is even trendy in 2024. But it does not continue its journey without encountering certain obstacles. In the eyes of the French, security (particularly for data erasure) and reliability of reconditioned products can be off-putting. Nearly one in two consumers (44%) still express doubts about the viability of products or trust in sellers, highlighting the need for better information and regulation in this area.
As the refurbished smartphone market continues to grow, it is crucial that companies in the sector maintain high standards of quality and transparency. “ Two years ago, a DGCCRF investigation demonstrated the lack of information provided to consumers on reconditioned products (…). It is our responsibility to stabilize this virtuous market », explains the general director of Recommerce, Augustin Becquet, one of the pioneers of reconditioning in Europe.
By the end of 2024, the USB-C port will become mandatory for all smartphones, tablets, consoles and cameras, among others, which will include refurbished products and will represent both a challenge and an opportunity for players of the sector. For him, the emphasis is now placed on the need to remain competitive, while respecting market standards and requirements.
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